The James Trank Collection consists of materials about his family and his occupation. The collection includes vital records such as birth certificates for both he and his wife Myrtle and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Wade. Report cards for his sons, James Trank Jr. and Ralph Trank, from the Corpus Christi and Houston school systems have been retained. James Trank's various certificates and identifications document his career as a marine machinist.

On February 26, 1945, James Trank's son Ralph was killed in action in the South Pacific. A Western Union telegram and a letter from the Adjutant Generals Office informed the family. Because of the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940, James and his wife, Myrtle were beneficiaries of their son's life insurance policy. Also retained are papers, correspondence and other materials documenting the Veterans Administration's life insurance policies.